Anzeige
Erschienen in:
01.10.2013 | Brief Research Article
Intimal–medial thickness and carotid arteries lumen in irradiated patients for head and neck cancer: preliminary data of an observational study
Erschienen in: Clinical and Translational Oncology | Ausgabe 10/2013
Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhaltenAbstract
Objectives
To investigate the effect of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) the intimal–medial thickness (IMT) and the lumen of the carotid artery.
Methods
Patients with HNC and an indication for EBRT were enrolled. A carotid artery color Doppler examination was performed before and 6 and 12 months after EBRT.
Results
From 2008 to 2011, 50 patients were enrolled. The mean carotid IMT was 0.9 vs. 1.02 mm before and 6 months after EBRT, respectively (p = 0.0001). The common carotid artery lumen was narrowed without statistical significance, 6 months after EBRT (p = 0.3). 1 year from EBRT, the IMT increase and the lumen reduction were statistically significant (p = 0.001, p = 0.01, respectively). Neurological events (stroke or TIA) were not observed.
Conclusions
Our data showed a significant IMT increase 6 months from EBRT without a corresponding narrowing of the common carotid lumen while a significant increase 12 months after EBRT.